Concrete & Asphalt Paving Austin, Tx

Spring will be here before you know it. At this time of year in particular, many business owners begin to plan how they’ll do what’s needed to keep up with the appearance of the workplace. Whether it’s your inside reception area, your business offices, your storage/warehouse area, or the exterior of your workplace, it’s important to keep your facility well maintained and appealing to your clients or customers. The same holds true for your parking lot! That pavement goes through wear and tear all year long from vehicle traffic, but the winter months can take an even greater toll. Here are a few tips for how to help your parking lot recover from the harsh winter weather and prepare it for the business year ahead.

• Clean the parking lot. You can either do this yourself or hire a professional cleaning company to handle the task for you. If possible, go with professional cleaners. They have the equipment needed to complete in a short period of time what might otherwise take you many hours, particularly if you have a large parking lot. Especially over the winter, leaves and other plant debris can collect around storm drains, gutters and curbs. All this debris needs to be removed and the surface needs to be cleaned as well. You should have your parking area cleaned on a regular basis, but it’s especially important at this time of year since it will allow you to take a closer look at the paved surface and decide if repair work needs to be done.
• Check for damage to the pavement. Look for cracks and sunken areas. Potholes are particularly common after months of winter weather, so make note of those as well. You may also see areas where grass or weeds are coming up in cracks and along the edges of the pavement. Make a list of needed repairs. Remember to also inspect your striping and any markings on the pavement to check for wear and to be sure they’re still clearly visible. If the striping needs to be repainted, include that on your repair list as well.
• Contact your paving contractor. Ask a local paving contractor to provide an estimate of the repair work that needs to be done. Any reputable paving contractor will agree to visit your site, assess the amount of work involved, and provide an estimate free of charge. Remember to ask your contractor whether or not the surface needs to be seal coated and, if it does, to include that in the estimate. Seal coating may not be required every year, but it will need to be done periodically, and it’s an excellent way to protect the surface.
• Schedule the work to be done at a convenient time. Repairs and/or seal coating and restriping should be done when it will cause the least disruption possible for your business, so schedule it for a day when you’re closed, if possible.

As you tackle your list of spring cleaning chores around your place of business, don’t forget your parking lot! When it comes to attracting customers, your parking area provides that all-important first impression.

If you’ve just recently had a new asphalt driveway installed, or if you plan on installing one sometime soon, you’ll want to keep it looking new for as long as possible. The best way to accomplish that is to start your maintenance routine right away. As is the case with any type of pavement or household improvement, it’s always cheaper to take care of it to begin with rather than to pay for repairs later. Here are a few tips on how to keep your asphalt surface looking new for as long as possible.

• Keep water off the surface. One of the most common ways that asphalt is damaged is from water. It can seep into even tiny cracks in the surface of your asphalt. That can weaken the sub-layer and result in even larger cracks and potholes. It’s important to keep water completely off the driveway, if possible. Downspouts should direct water into areas far away from the asphalt. If the gradient of your adjacent yard causes water to stream toward the driveway, install edging or some other type of buffer to keep it from doing so. Fill in tiny cracks as soon as you notice them to keep water from seeping into the surface.
• Have curbs installed around the driveway. Consider adding curbs or a border around your new driveway to further protect it from water and any chemicals you might use on your lawn or adjacent landscaping. Although this is a slightly more expensive option, it’s definitely the best way to protect the surface from damaging fluids and water.
• Keep the driveway clean. Sweep or blow off the surface several times a week to keep it free from leaves and debris. If vehicles leak fluid onto the driveway, use a quality product designed to remove those stains as quickly as possible.
• Be cautious when pulling into and out of the driveway. Asphalt is, without a doubt, a durable material. But it can still be damaged from unsafe driving. This is especially true in driveways, where pulling in and out to quickly can cause damage to the surface.
• Have the driveway seal coated as often as necessary. Seal coating on a regular basis helps to protect the asphalt, and extends the overall life of the surface. Your local paving contractor can determine how often you’ll need to seal coat your driveway, which is partially based on the local weather conditions and usage.

Your new driveway not only adds curb appeal; it also increases your property value. So keep it new-looking for as long as possible with these easy maintenance tips.

If you’re considering using concrete for an upcoming paving project, you may be surprised to know that there’s more to this material than the durable, hard surface found on roads, driveways and parking lots. In fact, our lives today would be very different without strong and long-lasting concrete surfaces. But concrete is nothing new and has actually been in existence – in one form or another – for thousands of years! Before you get started on your own concrete project, we thought you might enjoy some little known facts about this amazing material.

• Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it WAS built with concrete! Ancient Roman builders developed a concrete-like material called “pozzolana,” which was used in their construction projects – some of which are still standing today.
• Unlike other building materials, concrete is both water and fire resistant. If you want proof of this, just look at photos taken after fires and floods. You’ll see that many times the only remaining structures are made of concrete.
• Virtually all underwater structures are built from concrete. As we just mentioned, concrete is waterproof – so much so that it’s the ideal material for underwater structures like damns, tunnels, sewer lines, piers, etc.
• Concrete is different than cement. Some people use these terms interchangeably, but concrete and cement are not the same. In fact, cement is actually one of the components of concrete, which is made from about 60 to 65% aggregates (including gravel, sand and crushed stone), about 15 to 20% water, and about 10 to 15% cement.
• It’s not just for driveways and roads anymore! You might be surprised at the variety of ways that concrete is put to good use nowadays. Because of the inventive new ways that modern concrete mixtures can be created, the texture, color and appearance of concrete has more variations than you can imagine. That’s why it’s becoming an increasingly popular material for floors, sinks, countertops, fireplaces, and much more. Not only is concrete a beautiful choice for the inside of homes and offices – it’s a surface that will last a lifetime!

Now that you know a little more about concrete, you should feel even more confident that this incredibly strong, versatile and durable material is the right choice for you and your home or business. After all, if it’s good enough for Ancient Rome and underwater structures, it’s sure to be a great material for your paving project!

The start of the New Year is a great time to list our goals for the upcoming 12 months, and for many of us that list will include upgrades to our homes or places of business. If you’re like most people, once you decide to take on a project, you’re anxious to get it started. This is particularly true for a large-scale job, like a new patio, driveway, or parking lot, for example. But when it comes to installing new asphalt, it’s important to have the project done when the weather is cooperating. Although asphalt is a very durable material, if you have it poured in bad weather conditions, the quality of the surface will be compromised.

Most professional paving contractors would agree that the best weather conditions for installing new asphalt – or even resurfacing existing pavement — would be clear, sunny weather and about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For people living in far northern states, that may mean late spring or summer, while people in the South might be able to have new pavement poured earlier in the spring, in the fall, or even in very late winter, weather permitting.

Part of the consideration involves the type of asphalt used. If your paving contractor is using a hot mix asphalt, it might be possible to pave in temperatures in the 50 to 60-degree range. If you live in the South, that could mean that even some days in the winter might seem to be paving weather. But less than ideal conditions can mean that the finished asphalt surface will be more prone to early deterioration, so most paving contractors would advise against paving in anything other than ideal weather.

If you’re planning on having new pavement poured sometime this coming year, it’s only natural that you would be anxious about getting started. But the right weather conditions are absolutely necessary in order to get the best quality finished product possible when it comes to a new asphalt surface. The best way to decide when to pave is to contact a local, trusted paving contractor. They will be familiar with your local climate and will know best when to pave. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to call a paving contractor early on to ensure that your project is started within your desired timeframe. Quality paving companies often have many projects lined up for the coming paving season, so there’s no time like the present to get your project in the queue.

A new asphalt surface is, without a doubt, a major investment, whether it’s a new driveway in front of your home or a new parking lot adjacent to your place of business. So it makes sense that you would want to extend the life of your new paved surface for as long as possible. The good news is that asphalt, if it’s properly cared for, can last 20 years or longer. So follow these steps to protect your asphalt investment.

• Keep it clean. Sweep all debris off of your asphalt on a regular basis. That means removing leaves, gravel, dirt and trash. If debris is left on the surface, is can prevent adequate drainage, and water buildup can damage the surface.
• Make sure your drainage is adequate. We can’t say it enough – water is the enemy of asphalt. Standing water on an asphalt surface can seep through the surface and into the sub-base, where it can damage the foundation of your pavement.
• Remove weeds and vegetation. Weeds and grass that can sprout in asphalt cracks have roots that can spread underneath the surface, allowing water into seep in and create cracks and pot holes.
• Repair damage right away. Even tiny cracks (known as “alligator cracks”) can ruin an asphalt surface if not repaired quickly. Remember that small cracks allow water to seep through the surface, and that will eventually damage the sub-base. As soon as you see small cracks, contact your paving contractor to have them repaired.
• Remove oil and vehicle fluids. Oil and other fluids used in vehicles break down the chemical bond of the asphalt mix, making it much more susceptible to cracking, pot holes, etc. Remove any of these fluids as soon as possible with a cleaner designed for that purpose.
• Have the surface seal coated. Seal coating not only fills in small cracks in an asphalt surface; it also protects it against the weather. All asphalt surfaces need to be seal coated on a regular basis. Ask your paving contractor to recommend how often seal coating needs to be applied to your pavement.

Protecting your asphalt investment isn’t really that difficult. It just requires a good working relationship with a trusted, professional paving contractor. Effective asphalt maintenance varies depending on your location and climate, so choose a local paving company. They will understand your climate and how it affects asphalt surfaces. They can tell you how best to care for your pavement so that investment remains intact for many, many years to come!

It’s that time of year – the time when the weather can change for the worse at any moment. Even in temperate climates, winter can mean extreme weather conditions. And extreme weather can wreak havoc with your asphalt surface. The cycle of freezing and thawing can cause fatigue cracks (also known as “alligator cracks”) and damage the sub-base of your asphalt surface. If you don’t repair cracking – even tiny cracks – it will allow moisture to seep into the layers underneath the surface. In a short period of time, that will weaken the pavement and seriously reduce the lifespan of your asphalt surface. Potholes are also more likely to form during the winter months, creating hazards for drivers and seriously damaging the pavement.

Fortunately, there are several ways that a professional paving contractor can prepare an asphalt surface to more effectively withstand the damage caused by extreme winter weather. These steps vary depending on the climate. In colder climates – in the Northeast or Midwest, for example – a hot mix asphalt is often used. This type of surface is better at withstanding the freeze-thaw cycle, as well as deicing agents often used in those areas during the winter months. In the South, wet weather is more typical in the winter months. One good asphalt choice for these warmer climates is porous asphalt. This mixture actually allows water to run through it. This greatly reduces the amount of damage to the pavement caused by water, as well as making it safer to drive on since puddles of water don’t form on the surface. Porous asphalt is also friendlier to the environment since rainwater is allowed to seep through the paved surface and return to the water table.

Whatever type of asphalt you have, it’s important to remember that the sooner you have damage repaired, the better it will be for your pavement and the less expensive the repairs are likely to be. Your paving contractor will probably place a high priority on repairing pot holes as soon as possible. They may also recommend seal coating, which will not only repair small cracks, but will also protect the pavement from water damage and freeze-thaw cycles.

As is almost always the case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Contact a trusted paving contractor today to prepare for the harsh winter weather that is just around the corner. Not only will you be more likely to save your pavement; you’ll save money as well.

There’s no doubt about it: asphalt is an incredibly strong surface. But if careful preparations are not made before asphalt is poured, the surface won’t be nearly as strong and durable as it should be. Here are the steps that should be taken before your new asphalt surface is poured.

• The old surface should be demolished and removed. If you have existing old pavement, it needs to be completely torn up and removed prior to new pavement being poured. (In some instances, if the pavement is not too damaged, you may be able to repave it. But in many cases – particularly those in which your pavement has extensive cracking and potholes – you’ll need to have the surface completely replaced. Ask your paving contractor for an assessment.)
• The surface will need to be sloped and graded to allow for adequate drainage. Remember that water can severely damage asphalt, so it’s important that your surface has adequate run-off.
• The sub base will need to be compacted. This is an extremely important step in the process. If the sub base underneath your asphalt surface is not adequately compacted, it won’t be stable enough to support the new asphalt, and it will make your new pavement more susceptible to water damage and the freeze/thaw cycle in the winter.
• The binder layer will need to be laid. Think of the binder as the backbone of the asphalt surface. This mixture of aggregate and oil provides the strength that your asphalt will need to last for many years.
• Finally, the asphalt surface will be poured. Once the base is prepared and the binder layer has been laid, it’s time for the asphalt itself to be poured. Asphalt that is properly poured is completely smooth and black in appearance.
• The asphalt surface will be smoothed out even more and compacted. For most large-scale pavement projects, the paving contractor will use a roller truck to further smooth out and compact the surface of the asphalt.

As is the case with nearly any construction project, preparation is the key to a high quality end result. The same holds true for asphalt. While it’s true that these steps may seem like overkill to the untrained person, a qualified paving professional knows that without proper preparation, your asphalt will not last nearly as long as it would otherwise. To find out more about the steps involved in your paving project, talk to your paving contractor.

When you choose asphalt as the material for your next paving project outside your place of business, you may not give it much thought aside from the fact that it’s a durable material. But the fact is that this mixture of stone, sand, gravel and asphalt cement has some surprising features. We’ve compiled a few of those interesting facts:

• Asphalt is nothing new. You may think of paved roads as an advent of the 20th century, but asphalt – or some form of it – has actually been used since the time of Ancient Rome!
• Asphalt is “green.” In this day and age, nearly everyone makes some type of effort to choose environmentally friendly products whenever possible. You should be happy to know that you’ll be doing just that by choosing asphalt for your paving project. The ingredients that make up asphalt are entirely reusable, which is why old asphalt is so often recycled after it is torn up and removed.
• Asphalt is becoming more and more popular all the time. You have probably noticed that asphalt is most often the material of choice for commercial parking lots and roadways. But over the past few years, asphalt has become increasingly popular for residential projects as well, such as driveways and walking paths. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that it is relatively inexpensive compared to other pavement options.
• Asphalt now comes in a variety of colors. Whether you choose to coat the surface with color after it has been poured, or request asphalt that has been tinted during the manufacturing process, colored asphalt allows for a much wider range of options than ever before.
• Asphalt is even more durable than you may think. If you take care of your asphalt surface, it can last for several decades. Of course, taking care of it means maintaining it by keeping it clean; making sure it has adequate drainage to prevent standing water from collecting on the surface; having it seal coated periodically; and repairing minor cracks and potholes as soon as possible to prevent more damage from forming.
• All asphalt is not created equal. When it comes to asphalt, you really do get what you pay for. So beware of shady paving companies offering unbelievably low prices for asphalt surfaces. It’s entirely possible that the asphalt mixture they’re selling is below standard, and that means your surface could deteriorate very quickly.

The next time you think asphalt is boring, think again! This amazing material is strong, inexpensive, eco-friendly, and comes in a variety of colors. What more could you ask for from your pavement?